Frankie

Not as far as I'm aware. Only Weir from us and Hamill from Hearts. http://www.scottishfa.co.uk/resources/documents/Disciplinary/CurrentSuspensions/Season2010/11/June2011/PlayerSuspensions/LOS46%2802-JUN%29.pdf

After what seems the shortest summer break in history, competitive football in Scotland begins again this Saturday lunch-time as Champions Rangers welcome Hearts to Ibrox Stadium. After 54 League titles including the last three in a row, can Rangers continue on the success trail under new rookie manager Ally McCoist? Despite the loss of a few players from last season's title winning squad, confidence amongst the support should be high that we can retain the title. While our progress in the transfer market has been steady rather spectacular, we do have the same core of players that have been so successful while at the club. Of course it is somewhat disappointing that (so far anyway) links with exciting players in the media haven't actually resulted in the likes of Carlos Cuellar wearing the shiny new strip. However, the re-signing of existing players on extended contracts should not be under-estimated in value to our chances of success. After all, the likes of McGregor, Whittaker, Davis and Weir have all been hugely important in our march to 3IAR. Add in Naismith and Jelavic, then you have the kind of spine that won't accept second best. Such squad continuity is invaluable. On the other hand, our squad is too thin. The loss of guys like Weiss, Bartley and even Foster reduces our flexibility and it won't be difficult for opposition managers to guess, then limit, our style of play. In saying that, the capture of Juanma Ortiz and the introduction of youngsters like Bendiksen and Hemmings should help to keep things fresh. I'd also hope fringe players like Fleck, Broadfoot and Healy will be reliable deputies when called upon. And there is still time for more new signings - at the right price of course! Moving onto Saturday's SPL curtain-raiser, I think the first thing to do is acknowledge that Hearts have done what we haven't and brought in new signings quickly and efficiently. Sure, they may not be genuine top quality but the likes of Sutton, Hamill and Taouil offer a consistency and experience Hearts did miss from their foreign contingent. As ever, this won't be an easy match after the league flag is unfurled but I'm actually glad of such a tough opener though as, with Malmo in the CL 3rd Qualifying Round on Tuesday night, we need to be up and running quickly. Indeed, because of that European banana skin, we may see a slightly less adventurous XI as to what finished the SPL campaign last term. In the last few games of season 10/11; we were superb to watch and brushed all aside in a flurry of great goals and exciting performances. I'd expect a more conservative outlook this weekend though. Let's have a look at the manager's options. While our defence should have a familiar look for most of the start of the season, captain David Weir is suspended for our opening match. This means McCoist will need to decide between Broadfoot, Papac or Whittaker at centre-half. All of this shuffling about highlights we do need to sign another central defender but if we could persuade Bougherra to re-sign then such defensive stability would be ideal. In the mean-time we still have a strong, experienced defence so we need not overly worry about the tasks ahead. Moving into midfield, again despite the dearth of signings we do have a variety of options given everyone appears to be fully fit. On Tuesday night in Blackpool, the new manager opted for an orthodox four though and I think we'll see the same unit start against Hearts. Some fans are worried at the inclusion of both Edu and McCulloch but these guys provide the solid platform for the likes of Davis and Ortiz to get forward effectively and it was no coincidence these guys provided both goals. Sure, against other opposition we may only need one of those holding players but it may be more prudent to avoid unnecessary gambles early in the campaign. Not to mention the fact that Edu can get forward well when required. Also eager to be considered will be Fleck, Hutton, Bendiksen and Wylde but they may have to be content with a place on the bench. Into attack and the injury to Kyle Lafferty is a blow - both in terms of the player's own development after an impressive end to last season and to our general options up front. However, again we do have suitable cover via Naismith, Healy and Beattie - not to mention young Kane Hemmings who has shown up well in pre-season. Obviously Nikica Jelavic is the first name on the team-sheet so it will be up to the others to show they're capable of scoring the goals to partner him. All in all, we still have a core of players more than capable of competing strongly again for the league title. Yes, a few new players would be agreeable but I'm hoping everyone will focus on the task at hand and that's getting off to a good start in the league while progressing in Europe. With a stadium wide card display on Saturday and the newly combined 500 strong Broomloan Front singing section; the fans will be ready to back the players and Super Ally as they bid to 'Step up and Play' once more. Possible team (4-4-2): :sw: :mb: :kb: :sp: :sd: :me: :lm: :jmo: :nj: :sn: Here's to 55! :spl:

I think the issue about a couple of the players we want is that the manager wants them to be experienced/ready for the rigours of the SPL. Goodie and Miller provide that - other names (though interesting) are perhaps more of a risk at the same kind of outlay. In any case, up front isn't really a position we desperately need to strengthen given we have Healy and Beatte still at the club. Are they good enough? Debatable but what's the point in having them if they're not trusted to deliver? Generally, I don't think there's a huge panic to get people in. We have enough in our current squad to get past Malmo and Hearts. The ghosts of Kaunus are present though so the manager better be aware of the risks involved.

Great news . Chick is always wrong!

He's certainly a very experienced player so hopefully this will pressure Cuellar into a decision one way or the other.

Absolutely but I think some of us have said all along pre-season friendlies are not the place to gauge quality or make hasty judgements. Saturday lunch-time then next midweek will be that time. No excuses for any players then.

Mirror reporting Cuellar has snubbed our offer to see out his Villa contract. Meanwhile a few supposedly 'in-the-know' people on Twitter (agents I'd imagine) are saying he will join us if he can agree a pay-off from his current club.

I can't see Bartley being kept by Arsenal and I'm not actually sure he did prove himself at us last season. Sure he did very well in his time here but he only played 5 games so I doubt Wenger will see that as strong evidence of his claim. Which is why I think a longer loan deal would be perfect for all.

Yeah, it's disappointing that a few numbskulls refuse to acknowledge the problems we'll face if they continue to let us down. Similarly though, it is disappointing when people like Benstead make a big deal out of what were literally a few people. Will he do the same when Celtic play? I doubt it despite his neutrality claims.

Linked with Bedoya again today: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alejandro_Bedoya Cuellar, Miller and the American seem to be our main targets. Will they come off before tomorrow?

Overall, I think we did reasonably well in the first half. It was pretty obvious we were a bit ahead of our hosts but that wasn't just with regard to fitness - we did have more quality. Indeed, even when we made all our changes, I enjoyed the fact our younger players continued to try and keep the ball on the deck and inter-changed well together. OK, because we didn't have the same quality up front perhaps we didn't look like scoring all that often but we were also comfortable enough for the most part. Lots to be happy about even if I'm sure we agree we need more players.

Jig and Edu in the middle are not about glamour though - they're deployed together to allow our flair players the time and space to do their creative work. To that end, they were quite effective as both Davis and Ortiz were extremely attacking while Naismith also didn't need to back-track as often as he did. Obviously I wouldn't play Jig and Edu together in every game but Hearts will be tough opposition on Saturday so it may make sense to use them together this week.

Doubt the home leg will be on the telly but the away tie probably will be.

Apparently fee agreed for Miller - ~�£1.1million according to Turkish press. Doubt it will be that much but given we paid the same amount for Velicka a few years back, it's hardly top dollar for an experienced international who has proven he has the quality required. Like most folk, I'd prefer a younger and better version and it is frustrating that we sold him just 6 months ago for a third of that figure but c'est la vie!

Pretty sure Gordon Smith said in the papers we're not interested in him or the Greek left back.

Not at all! I'd never use the lowest of form of wit.

Thanks for your concern.

Yeah, a few of Willie's photos this summer seem to suggest Weir has been helping in that regard. Good news IMO.

It seems we have two 'youth' teams at the moment with one of them being more like a reserve side than an under 19 team per se.

Well, why not contact us privately and explain the situation so we can examine the issue for you? Unfortunately, I've been very busy at work lately so haven't been reading every thread and every forum to my usual depth. That's why such posts may have been missed.

Everyone goes by the same rules. Gribz and Jon have been 'demoted' in the past for not adhering to them.

Nothing Rangers related in the latest @Cuellar24 blog. Cards being played well by our Spanish chum! http://cuellar24.com/index-en.php

I agree. Sign Jeffers as well considering we qualified from our CL group that season.

Would you like to be part of the celebrations for the flag unfurling ceremony on the 23rd of July? Would you like to carry either the SPL or League Cup trophy around the pitch on the first game of the season? To celebrate the launch of the official Rangers Facebook page, weââ?¬â?¢re giving all our Facebook fans this once in a lifetime opportunity. To enter this fantastic competition, all you need to do is to ââ?¬Ë?Likeââ?¬â?¢ the FB post and your name will be entered into a free draw. As well as winning the chance to be part of the days celebrations and the chance to carry a trophy around the pitch, each winner will also receive two complimentary tickets for the match. The draw will be made this coming Monday, 18th July and the competition is open to all users who like this post. The judge's decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.

I remember Nieto looking the part for us in a friendly against Linfield a few years back...